Avery skated for the first time with his temporary team on Tuesday, telling an AP reporter he felt tired after the workout, since he's been off the ice for two months. He also issued a statement that he'd be keeping his mouth shut other than hockey-related matters, which will be worth watching to see if he honors his own vow, since, of course, his yapping is what got him in this position in the first place.
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St. Louis Blues' Andy McDonald celebrates with teammates after scoring in the third period against the Vancouver Canucks in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. McDonald had a goal and an assist in his first game back after missing 36 games with a broken ankle. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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St. Louis Blues' Chris Mason, right, shoves Vancouver Canucks' Steve Bernier away from the crease in the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. The Canucks beat the Blues 6-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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Vancouver Canucks' Jannik Hansen lifts the puck past St. Louis Blues goalie Chris Mason for the go-ahead goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. The Canucks beat the Blues 6-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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Vancouver Canucks' Jannik Hansen, left, celebrates with teammate Ryan Johnson after scoring the go-ahead goal in the third period against the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. The Canucks beat the Blues 6-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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St. Louis Blues' Barret Jackman lies on the ice after an empty net goal by the Vancouver Canucks in the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. The Canucks beat the Blues 6-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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Detroit Red Wings goalie Ty Conklin (29) is congratulated by Brett Lebda (22) after the Red Wings beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 in an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40) is congratulated by Pavel Datsyuk after Zetterberg scored a goal against the Nashville Predators in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. At left is Nashville's Radek Bonk. The Red Wings won 5-3. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Jon Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings plays the puck behind his net during the third period against the New York Islanders on February 10, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jon Quick
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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Nathan Horton #16 of the Florida Panthers scores against goaltender Vesa Toskala #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bank Atlantic Center on February 10, 2009 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vesa Toskala
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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Goaltender Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers defends the net against John Mitchell #39 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bank Atlantic Center on February 10, 2009 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tomas Vokoun;John Mitchell
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The Wolf Pack are slated to play at the XL Center (known better to hockey fans as the former Hartford Civic Center) tonight against Manitoba, but Avery won't be skating against the Moose. He's likely to return to action at the 'Mall' this weekend, however, as Hartford hosts Lake Erie Friday and Manitoba again on Saturday, which should bring a Barnum and Bailey sideshow when he does finally lace them up.
While Avery is still officially property of the Stars, Dallas had made no bones he's played his last game for the franchise. Stars owner Tom Hicks told FAN 590 in Toronto just as much.
"We're happy for Sean. He's been working hard to take care of some of the issues he's had... Our plans are to find him a place in the AHL where he can play and show his hockey skills and maybe there will be another team in the league that might want to pick him up. But he's not going to a part of the Dallas Stars."And, down the Merritt Parkway, one team that certainly is keeping tabs on Avery's status is the Rangers, who are currently on a five-game skid and in danger of falling out of a playoff spot should the team's downward spiral continue much longer. Agitator or not, Avery would certainly provide a spark for the Rangers - although it's not certain if it'd be a positive push back towards the top of the East or just become the final nail in the Rangers' disappointing campaign.
Rangers GM Glen Sather issued a mild statement regarding Avery, reminding those who fully expect the Rangers to try and claim Avery when he is placed on re-entry waivers by the Stars that nothing's set in stone yet.
"Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months. He remains under contract to and property of the Stars; therefore, any further comment would be inappropriate."There are other possibilities too, because any team could claim Avery one he's placed on re-entry waivers - as one columnist suggested the team down the Long Island Expressway - to keep him away from the Blueshirts, although that would be an expensive claim, since they'd be responsible for half his salary for three more seasons. Despite his ample baggage, Avery is a good, rugged player - provided you have a strong enough locker room to contain his ego and sometimes bizarre on-ice tactics.
But the Rangers seem to be the big leader for his services - meaning one of the few teams that are willing to take on the sideshow that comes with him.
So, somewhere off-Broadway, Avery's planned road to Brodway will begin this weekend, waiting for the Stars (and Rangers) to open the door for a return to the league.
